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Duke  University  Libraries 


D037886986 


[From  the  Richmond  Medical  Journal.] 

IN  MEMORIAM. 

Died,  in  Williamsburg,  Va.,  May  18th,  1862,  after  an  illness  of 
four  days,  of  an  affection  of  the  stomach,  to  which  he  had  been 
subject  for  many  years,  JOHN  If.  GALT,  M.  D.,  son  of  the  late 
Dr.  Alexander  D.  Galt. 

Dr.  Galt  was  Superintendent  and  Physician  of  the  Eastern  Lu- 
natic Asylum,  at  Williamsburg,  Va.,  and  he  nobly  and  conscien- 
tiously performed  the  duties  devolving  upon  him.  Of  him  it  may 
be  said,  as  was  remarked  of  his  philanthropic  father,  "that  his  duty 
was  performed  with  as  scrupulous  fidelity  as  though  the  Recording 
Angel  of  Heaven's  chancery  had  been  ever  at  his  side." 

His  zeal,  in  contributing  to  the  comfort  and  welfare  of  those 
committed  to  his  care,  knew  no  wearying;  and  knowledge  gained 
by  diligent  investigation  on  this  continent,  and  in  many  languages 
in  Europe,  was  used  by  him  with  perfect  success,  to  re-illume  the 
darkened  mind. 

This  good  and  great  man  was  well  known  in  this  country  and  in 
Europe  for  his  philanthropic  life  and  classical  and  literary  attain- 
ments. His  was  an  intellect  of  the  highest  order — and  literature  is 
enriched  by  his  learned  and  elegant  writings;  science  mourns  an 
irreparable  loss,  for  a  bright  and  shining  light  has  left  her  world 
forever. 

To  those  to  whom  he  was  the  dearest  on  earth,  from  childhood  to 
manhood,  he  never  caused  a  sigh  or  tear,  and  in  his  own  home  his 
presence  was  as  perpetual  sunshine;  and  like  the  vanishing  of  sun- 
light is  the  loss  of  a  spirit  so  stainless  and  so  bright. 

He  was  much  loved  on  earth,  and  surely  loved  by  our  Heavenly 
Father.  for  He  "loveth  a  cheerful  giver,"'  aQd  his  name  was  a  syno- 
nyme  for  disinterested  kindness  and  benevolence;  truly  was  it  said 
of  him  that  Virginia  had  lost  one  of  her  brightest  jewels,  and  the 
poor  and  nee-dy  their  kindest  benefactor.  As  an  evidence  of  his 
disregard  of  gain,  he  twice  refused  an  augmentation  of  salary. 

His  was  a  name  rich  with  the  generous  deeds  of  generations — a 
name  on  which  Heavenly  philanthropy  sheds  its  imperishable  lustre. 
His  life  was  pure  and  bright  as  the  flowers  he  loved,  and  as  the 
holy  influences  of  nature  in  which  he  took  delight;  for  all  nature 
was  to  him  as  an  open  book,  in  which  he  read  truths,  wonderful  and 
beautiful. 

A  life  of  devotion  to  the  good  of  others  has  closed  on  earth,  and 
that  soul,  that  knew  no  guile,  has  gone  to  receive  the  great  reward 
promised  to  all  who  believe,  as  he  did,  in  the  Saviour  for  salva- 
tion, and  faithfully  endeavor  to  follow  in  His  footsteps. 


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